The holidays have come and gone.  League play was suspended for the holidays for 2 weeks.  I took the opportunity to get some good practice in at a few different houses, one of which I mentioned in a previous thread.  I was in a minor slump before I took off for the holidays, but nothing horrible.  I was just really inconsistent.  My last two series before the break were

156   169   148  (473)
146   118   201  (465)

The 118 I split 5 times.  So that one I just write off...sort of.  If I hit the pocket a little better I wouldn't have split so much..blah blah blah...  Plus, my team has been winning and we are in 1st place.  So it doesn't really matter.  

Before that time my two series were pretty decent.  At least for me.  No real bad games for two weeks.  

233   168   200
175   213   174


What I'm worried about is when the pressure comes (maybe tonight if it's close) then I will not be able to actually put together a decent game.   I haven't been stringing together anything.  I might double or turkey in a good game, but generally the X's stand alone.  That makes for making big scores really difficult.  If I miss one spare I'm already below average.  I've practiced, taken time off, mentally visualized.  I really just don't know how to bust out of it.  

Even during my practice sessions I've been pretty consistently below average, somewhere in the 160's or low 170s.   My spares are keeping me afloat, but it's almost like I forgot how to strike.  I figure people on this board have been through this before, what have you done?  I have a coaching lesson scheduled for tomorrow night, which I hope to enjoy.  But I got nothing for right now.  

What have you guys done in this situation?  As usual, comments are greatly appreciated and taken seriously.  Cept for from peach.  His comments are welcome as comic relief.  

CCB

don't try and "strike" every ball. Huh...what did he say,.?? Don't try and strike....whatcha talkin' bout.  
Forget about striking and think about good execution, make each shot as good as you can,...Strikes in a row come from execution and being able to repeat shots. Slumps come from not repeating good shots.
Give the ball a chance, and the strikes will come.
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jimensminger D/T BallStaff

I like that tip Jim.  I've no doubt that I slip sometimes into trying to strike as opposed to hitting my marks.  Another thing I do is obsessively make adjustments without giving the previous ones a chance to work.  

I'll try the focus on execution idea a try though...Thanks.

Edited on 1/6/2004 2:14 PM

don't overthink it, ...it happens..........one thing.....whatever you do, ...DON'T let it get into your head.  Stay positive, find what you did GOOD each game or set, and move on.....trust me, I'm coming out of one that had a HUGE ENEMY involved....ME !
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JEFF
Hello, I just lowered my track !

I have been in a slump myself. A normal series for me would look something like 185-150-170, lately Ive been having more series' like this 150-140-115 I am tying very hard to just try to get ANYTHING decent but its been disaterous. Balls flying every which way, piles of coke everywhere (soda), gone through gloves, and all my different balls, and positions and its just horrible!
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15 years and still going strong! 15 years old that is! DA DA DAAAAAA!! UP UP AND AWAY! TO THE BAT CAVE ROBIN!

Slumpdate,
I bowled decent last night, shot a 566, which is the best I've done in weeks.  I just thought about one thing, don't throw accross the body.  Not that this was always a huge problem.  But since I was unable to completely clear my mind, and thinking about 100 tips at once would make me throw like crap, I thought of one thing.  Just keep that swing nice and flat and throw it.  

There was one throw that was absolutely horrible.  After my first game of 214, which I was quite pleased with, I got up to make my first throw of the second game, right into the gutter !  I just thought, "oh what a difference a game makes."  I laughed it off pretty hard, and finished decent.  I think the atmosphere of the night also helped me loosen up and throw it easier.  

We'll see in the upcoming weeks if the slump is really off though.  I have a coaching lesson tonight, my first official one, so I expect an immediate drop in average.  Does coaching work the same way as a new ball?  If so I can expect a little bit more of a prolonged slump.  

Rags, I hope you bust it soon.  I have decided to bottle up the slump breaker and sell it.  It's already available in many markets.  It's in a little green bottle called Heinekin.  Just take a couple and your troubles will be over.

CCB

I try and remember what an old coach told me when I was in a slump.  He told me to "Get back to basics".  In other words, I stop trying to shoot 800 every set because I know 675 or better is fine.  I stop trying to rev the ball like kids half my age.  I stop running to the line.  I START using practice time wisely.
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You wanna bet me how much?  Let's play!